From: Jennifer Murphy
Date: Tue, Jan 30, 2018 at 2:08 PM
Subject: Merrimon Avenue expansion
To: chood@ncdot.gov, mgclark@ncdot.gov

I’m writing to make an official comment on the proposed changes on Merrimon Ave in Asheville. I work several times a week in the North Asheville Rec Center, a block away from Merrimon on East Larchmont Road. I feel that these changes would negatively impact my life and the others who use the North Asheville Rec Center.

We have two teen groups that meet here every week. The kids walk on Merrimon to get lunch. It’s already hard to cross. This will make it much worse.  We have several volunteers who ride their bikes to our space. A 2′ wide bike lane is a joke!

These changes are not designed for people, only for cars. I think they will not only endanger pedestrians and cyclists but also hurt local businesses. It will be harder to pull in and out of parking lots at places like Luellas, Yolo, and Jus Running. This is not a highway, this is a city street. Future plans should be slowing down the traffic, making it better for walkers and bikes, not speeding it up.

Please scrap this plan and come up with something that is appropriate for humans.

Jennifer Murphy
Asheville 28806